Oklahoma HOSA honors Capt. Mike Brode

POSTEDFri, 04/14/2017 - 09:43

Every year Oklahoma HOSA recognizes individuals who have given their time and talents to the members and our conferences. This year Oklahoma presented the 2017 Oklahoma HOSA Honorary Member to Capt. Mike Brode.

Mike joined his local HOSA chapter at the Academy for Technology and Academics in Conway, SC in August 2006 when he started the school's pre-med program as a junior. In 2007, Mike was thrilled to represent South Carolina at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando where he also competed in the EMT competition.

After seeing all of the incredible work HOSA members were doing to improve the health of the United States and themselves at his first NLC, Mike decided he wanted to continue to serve and represent HOSA. The following year, he ran for national office and was elected to serve as President-Elect during 2008-2009 and President during 2009-2010. During his time representing HOSA members, Mike was ecstatic to see membership soar to above 100,000 nationally for the first time ever and to develop and implement the first HOSA Internship in the Office of the Surgeon General with the US Public Health Service.

While serving as a part of the HOSA leadership team, Mike was working towards his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina, working as a firefighter and EMT, and an Air Force ROTC student. Upon graduation in 2012, Mike commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, where he was given the opportunity to fly as an Air Battle Manager. After completing training, Mike moved to Oklahoma City, OK where he is currently an Evaluator Air Weapons Officer aboard the E-3 AWACS.

Though his career path may have moved towards national defense and aviation, Mike is still passionate about healthcare. Mike is expected to graduate with his Master of Public Health Degree from the University of South Carolina this May. He has continued to work toward improving community health by fostering relations with Tinker Air Force Base and Oklahoma HOSA, serving as a therapy dog handler, and working with the Oklahoma Nutrition Information and Education (ONIE) Project.

In Oklahoma, Mike has assisted in preparing past Oklahoma National Officer Candidates, directing the state officer team during opening and award sessions at FLC and SLC, assisting at numerous state conferences.